Oh, Hello Again!

I once read you should never apologize for a break in blogging — that you should just be like "hey this is what's on my mind today" without saying "so sorry I haven't posted in a while!"

Well, I haven't posted in a while, so here's what's on my mind today: Taking time to slooooow down.

Between leaving my job to go full-time freelance and planning a wedding, I've been a busy bee lately! Building a business (or two or three) and preparing for marriage are both huge life changes, and I've been adjusting to this new life of mine. I'm thankful — so thankful — and just a little overwhelmed at times!

I've been reading a book with a group of friends, Shauna Niequist's Present Over Perfect, and here's something she had to say:

“Many of us, myself, included, considered our souls necessary collateral damage to get done the things we felt we simply had to get get done - because of other people's expectations, because we want to be know as highly capable, because we're trying to outrun an inner emptiness. And for a while we don't even realize the compromise we've made. We're on autopilot, chugging through the day on fear and caffeine, checking things off the list, falling into bed without even a real thought or feeling or connection all day long, just a sense of having made it through.”

Maybe the "do or die" to-do list you've been carrying around is really just a "do or die trying" list?

So I'm putting less pressure on myself. Or at least I'm trying to!

Spending extra time on a fishtail braid because it makes me feel #fancy, wearing this fun picnic outfit from Modcloth, still knocking items off of my to-do list, but giving myself grace. And time to breathe. Breathing is important, you guys.

I also don't see self-care as a singularly woman's issue, though I notice more women writers talking about it. Food for thought.

Anyway, here are some other things I'm into right now:

- 6 peach desserts that are the definition of summer via Bon Appetit

- Dying to try Glossier's Cloud Paint

- Currently reading this book, which is super interesting

- Artificial light from digital devices lessens sleep quality, via Science Daily

What's on your brain lately? Let me know, either here, on Facebook or on Instagram!

Outfit details: dress c/o Modcloth, statement ring c/o Modcloth, shoes.